Envelope machine



Patented Feb, 23, i925.

LEY/lr03 GEORGE FRANCIS HOGAN, QF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ENVELOPE MACHINE.

Application led February to certain improvements therein.

Envelopes are made in automatic machines, and the present invention is applicable particularly to envelope machines of the tube type. In machines of this type the paper or other material from which the envelopes are formed is drawn as a web from a roll and passes continuously through the machine to the point Where the envelopes are fully formed and severed from each other. The formed envelopes are severed by a revolving knife Which cuts the bottom 'Flap of one envelope romvthe top flap of the other. The bottom flap is then gurnmed, folded and subjected to pressure which causes it to adhere. rIhe web may be printed before it is placed vin the machine or printing mechanism may be a,Y ociated therewith to apply the desired impression tothe web as it passes through the machine.

For certain purposes an envelope With only a bottom flap is required, the top being open and having a thumb notch. Heretofore it has been necessary in producing such envelopes in automatic machines to sever the envelopes and cut the thumb notch by sepa- Vrate operations requiring additional mechanism and reducing the accuracy With which the envelope is formed to the desired size.

It is the object of the present invention to facilitate the manufacture of single 'flap envelopes by the provision of means Whereby the envelopes are severed and provided with a thumb notch in a single operation, the device being adjustable preferably so that the thumb notch may be positioned as required with reference to the lateral edges of the envelope.

Further objects and advantages of' the invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following ample, by means ot a slot 18 and bolts 19. 110

specification and accompanying drawing, in

which le', 1923. Serial No. 618,912.

Fig. l is a vieuv in perspective illustrating the present invention as applied to an envelope machine;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the Web before and after the envelopes are severed;

Fig. f3 is a view in perspective of the shearing knife; and

l is a plan view of the finished envelope.

The machine, with the exception of the shearing mechanism, is one which is Well lmoivn and in common use. Consequently a desorption thereof is not essential in order that the advantages oi" the present invention may be clear. `In the machine the Web is folded and notched as indicated in Fig. 2 and is substantially completeexcept for the severing operation which is a peculiar function oiE the present invention.

As above indicated, it is the object of the present invention to sever the envelopes in a single operation, Jforming simultaneously the liap at the end of one envelope andan edge fit-h a thumb notch at the adjacent end of the next envelope. Before severing the envelopes, the iveb passes between rolls 5 and 3 which eoopeate to draw the web through the machine, the rolls being suitably driven :for this purpose. Directly in iront of the rolls 5 and (S a die 7 is supported on the bed of the machine in adjustable relation thereto. rlhe die is provided with a slot S which forms a shear with a imite 9 which cooperates therewith. One side of the slot provided with a semicircular recess l() corresponding to the thumb notch ll which is to be cut in the rear edge of the envelope l2 as indicated in F ig. a. The knife 9 is rectangular in section and is provided with tivo sharp lower edges 13 adapted to cooperate with the edges ot the die 7. The knife is mounted on a circular support l--l. which in turn is carried by a shait 'l5 mounted in a bearing 16. The shaft is driven from the source ot power, and as the support rotates the knife is brought periodically into cooperating relation with the. die. The knife is provided at one side With a projecten 17 correspond- -ing in Yform to the recess lO in the die. Preferably the kniife is mounted in adjustable relation with its support 14 as, for ex- By adjusting the knife 9 and the die 7 the relation of the notch to the lateral edgesl ner the result oit' the envelope may be changed readily. The thumb notch is usually disposed in the center of the upper edge of the envelope, but it may be desirable to have it nea-r one of theflateral edges of the envelope.

As the web advances beneath the rollers 5 and 6 the connecting portion 2O which forms the lower flap ot the envelope will be positioned above the slot 8 in the die 7. The rotation of the support ll is so timed with respect to the movement of the web that at the insta-nt notedl the knife will descend and shear the web, leaving the flap :2l on one envelope and cutting the adj' cent end of the other envelope so that the thumb notch il is formed therein. The web is cut simultaneously in two transverse lines spaced apart,'no llap being 'formed on the notched end ot the envelope. ln this inanwhich has necessitated two operations heretofore aeeoii'iplished by a single movement ot the lrn lroin'the foregoing it will be observed that by the provision el means tor simule rtaneously severing the web in two spaced lines l am enabled to produce envelopes ot the desired conformation in the simplestand most eflicient manner. There is a slight waste ot paper in this operation owing to the desirability ot avoiding an unsiglitly projecting tab on the flap ol' the envelope.

' The paper lost in the operation is, howeifer,

of minor importance in view of the advantages obtained. he invention is particularly desirable in that it ensures uniformity of the product. Each envelope is identical in form with every other envelope produced on the machine, the length ot the envelope being tiltedV when the machine is set and invariable thereafter.

lt is to be understood that various details ofthe arrangement described may be changed and that the invention may be apture. Y

plied to machines diilering in detail 'from that illustrated in connection with this application, the Vessental feature being the means for advancing the web and Jor simultaneously shearing the web in two lines spaced from each other.

l claim l. In an envelope machine, the combination of means for advancing a continuous web through the machine and severing means having two cutting edges in spaced relation to simultaneously shear the web, one of the cutting edges having a projection adapted to notch the web.

2. ln an envelope machine, the combination of means for advancing a continuous web through the machine, severing means having two cutting edges in spaced relation to simultaneously shear the web, one oithe cutting edges having a projection adapted to notch the web, and means tor adjusting the projection with reference to the web.

In an envelope machine, the combination of means for advancing a continuous web through the machine, a revolving knife Y having cutting edges in spaced relation and a cooperating die whereby the web is sheared simultaneouslj7 in two lines spaced from each other, the knife having a projection at one edoe adapted to notch the web.

ln an envelope machine, the combination of means for advancing a continuous web through the machine, a revolving knife having cutting edges in spaced relation, a cooperating die whereby the web is sheared simultaneously in two lines spaced from each other, the knife having a projection at one edge adapted toA notch the web, and means for adjusting the knife and die with reference to the web.

ln testimony whereof l atl'ix my signes Geenen refiners nosas. 

